Combination stretching and squeezing tool



May 12, 1964 F. sloN 3,132,550

coMINATIoN STRETCHING AND sQuEEzING TOOL Filed Feb. 19, 1962 I5Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. PQI-:DE RICK SION ANVR/V5' V May 12, 1964 F.SION COMBINATION STRETCHING AND SQUEEZING TOOL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledFeb. 19, 1962 INVENTOR.

.-AfR/VEV FREDERICK SION May 12, 1964 F. sloN 3,132,550

COMBINATION STRETCHING AND SQUEEZING TOOL Filed Feb. 19, 1962 5Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTO FR E DE RICK SI United States Patent O 3,132,550CMIBINATION STRETCHHNG ANI) SQUIEFZHNG TUL Frederick Sion, M94 MarilynCeurt, Englewood, NJ. Filed Feb. i9, 19162, Ser. No. 174,036 2 Claims.(Cl. dI--d This invention relates generally to hand tools and moreparticularly to new and useful improvements in a convertible hand toolof the pliers type.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a hand toolof the pliers type that is adapted selectively either to pinch orsqueeze a device for compressing the device or to spread or stretch adevice for extending the device, during the operation of pressing thehandles toward each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convertible hand toolofthe pliers type having a pair of superimposed or juxtaposed annulardisk-shaped bodies, pivotal relative to each other, provided with radialhandles, one disk-shaped body having a pair of peripheral spaced socketsdisposed to one side of the pivot point of the bodies between thehandles and the other disk body having a pair of peripheral spacedsockets disposed to the other side of said pivot point of the diskbodies, to receive a pair of detachable jaw members in operativeposition for either squeezing a device or spreading or extending adevice.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hand tool ofthe pliers type having a pair of superin1- posed or juxtaposed annulardisk-shaped bodies, pivotal relative to each other, provided with radialhandles, `and a pair of detachable jaw members so that one and the samepair of jaw members can be used for either squeezing a device forcompressing the same or spreading or stretching a device for extendingthe same.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand tool of thepliers type with pairs of spaced sockets adapted to be brought tooperative position interchangeably in order to receive a pair ofdetachable jaw members.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a convertible handtool of the pliers type with a pair of detachable jaws adapted to beplaced in operative position for either squeezing a device forcompressing the same or stretching or spreading a device for extendingthe same, speedily and simply without the use of any additional tools aswell as without the application of any considerable amount of skill, andwhich is so constructed that the jaw members are rmly and safelyfastened to the handle members once they have been secured thereto sothat they will not shake thereon and. so that they cannot be lost.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a convertible,multi-purpose hand tool of the pliers type that is light in weight,handy in use, and simple in construction so that it can be manufacturedand sold inexpensively but which is also sturdj/,durable and welladapted to withstand the rough usage to which tools of this typeordinarily are subjected.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a convertiblemulti-purpose hand tool of the pliers type that is adapted to beconverted into a screw driver capable of supporting screw driver bits ofvarious constructions for operating on screws of differentconstructions.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:j

FIG. 1 is a top perspective View of a hand tool of the ICC pliers type,embodying one form of my invention, the jaw members being shown inclosed condition.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one-half of the tool of FIG.1.

FIG. 2A is a similar view of the other half.

FIG. 3 is a spread edge View of the parts shown in FIG. 2, the jawmembers being shown in operative position on the handles.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a modilied form of hand tool withthe handles and jaw members in closed condition, the handles and jawmembers being shown open in dot-dash lines.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the hand tool of FIG. 4 with thejaw members converted into position for opening upon movement of thehandles toward each other, as shown in dot-dash lines therein.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top view of the top female diskshaped body showinga fragment of the handle, the sleeve being omitted.

FIG. 7 is a similar View of the bottom male disk-shaped body.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the disk-shaped bodies in superimposedrelation.

FIG. 9 is a sectional View through the center of the parts shown in FIG.8.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Iil--Itl of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken on line 11.-11 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of a set of operating jaw membersembodying a modied form of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line l3 13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational View of a set of operating jaws ofmodified form capable of use with the tool.

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of another modiiied form of theinvention capable of use as a screw driver.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged View looking from the top thereof, the screwdriver being omitted.

Referring in detail to the drawings, in FIG. 1 a metal hand tool of thepliers type embodying one form of the invention is shown and designatedgenerally by the reference numeral 20. The pliers 20 comprises a pair ofsuperimposed circular disk-shaped body portions 22 and 24 with radiatingelongated handles 26 and 23, respectively. The handles 26 and `28 arethicker than the body portions providing curved shoulders 30 and 32,respectively, on the inner ends thereof to receive the peripheries ofthe adjacent body portions thereby positioning the handlesin the sameplane as shown in FIG. l. The handles are slightly curved to space theouter ends thereof away from each other. The surface of the handles maybe rubberized as indicated at 34 to provide better gripping surfaces andto insulate the handles for use in electrical work.

The female disk body 22 is formed with a central opening 36, and themale disk body 24 is formed with a central externally threaded plug 3Sprojecting from its inner surface. An internally screw-threadedconnecting sleeve 40 extends through the opening 36 in female body 22and is threaded over the plug 3S. The inner end of sleeve 40 is turnedover as indicated at 42 to prevent complete withdrawal of the sleevethrough the opening 36, and the inner surface of male disk body 24 isformed with an annular recess 44 around the base of the plug toaccommodate the sleeve 40 and the turned over end 42 thereof. A knurledfinger piece or knob 46 is formed on the outer protruding end of thesleeve 40 for manipulating the sleeve. An annular flange 43 is formed onthe sleeve adjacent the knob 46 adapted to engage the outer surface ofthe disk body 22. By turning knob 46 in the proper direction, the diskbody 22 is drawn into 3 contact with disk body 24 by means of the flange48 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9.

In accordance with the present invention, in the periphery of femaledisk body 22 a pair of spaced sockets 5@ and 52 are formed. Socket Stiis disposed par( lel to the plane of and to one side of a median l-ine53 running vertically through the opening 316, the left-hand side asviewed in FIG. 4, being disposed close to said line. Socket 52 isdisposed on the other or right-hand side of said line 53 at an acuteangle to the vertical and being farther removed irom the line.

A similar pair ot sockets 54 and 56 are formed in the periphery of malebody portion 24. Socket S4 is disposed parallel to the plane of themedian line S3 and close thereto, and socket 56 is disposed at an acuteangle to the vertical and farther removed from the line. Line 53constitutes the vertical pivotal line of the disk-shaped bodies 22 andZ4 as viewed in FIG. 4.

A pair of removable operating jaws 5S and 60 are provided for use withthe disk body 24 and disk body 22, respectively. Each jaw has anelongated substantially triangular-shaped body portion 62 with a bluntedapical pointed end 6d. The other wider end 66 of the jaw is curveddownwardly and outwardly forming a long smooth side edge 68 and ashorter side edge 7i?, the surface of which is recessed adjacent itswide end and formed with teeth 72 and is also formed with teeth 7dadjacent its narrower end and spaced from teeth 72. A non-circular stern76 extends from the center of the wider curved end 66 and is externallyshaped to conform to the shape of the sockets in the disk-shaped bodies22 and 24. The stem is formed with opposed grooves 73 adjacent its outerfree end to accommodate a split ring Sil adapted to seat in an annulargroove 82 formed in each socket in the disk bodies so as to hold thestem in the socket when inserted therein.

In assembling the tool, the disk-shaped bodies 22 and 24 are placed injuxtaposed position and the sleeve 4t) threaded over the plug 38 to drawthe disk bodies together. The pair of jaws 58 and 69 are plugged intothe selected pair of sockets in the disk bodies 22 and Zit. During theinsertion of the stems 76 into the sockets, the split rings 8@ will snapinto the grooves S2 in the sockets, holding the jaws in the socketsagainst displacement.

If it is desired to use the tool as an ordinary pliers for gripping orpressing purposes, the handles 26 and 28 are swung towards each other toclose relationship as seen in FIG. l. The jaws 58 and 6) are theninserted into the vertically disposed sockets Sil and 54, in disk bodies22 and 24, respectively. This will position the jaws so that thethreaded sides 7@ thereof are contacting each other as shown in FiG. 1.By moving the handles away from each other the jaws may be Separated inthe ordinary manner and by subsequently moving the handles toward eachother the jaws will be snapped together for gripping and pressingpurposes.

lf it is desired to use the tool for the purpose of spreading ordistending a device as distinguished from exerting pressure on thedevice, the handles 26 and 2S are spread apart whereby the angularlydisposed sockets 52 and 56 in disk bodies Z2 and 24, respectively, arebrought to a vertical position parallel to the center line 53, and thesockets Si? and 54 are moved to oil-center position as viewed in FIGS.4, 1() and 11. The jaws 58 and dil are then plugged into the verticallydisposed sockets 52 and 56 as shown in FIG. 5 wherein the handles 26 and2S are shown spread apart and the jaws 5S and 60 are shown in intimatecontact with each other. By moving the handles Z6 and 23 toward eachother, the jaws 58 and et) will be moved away from each other as shownin dotted lines in FIG. 5 for spreading or distending a device for anydesired purpose.

It will be understood that the form of the gripping portions of the jawsis immaterial. It is desirable when using the tool for spreading ordistending purposes, that slim- CII mer and thinner jaws be used withpointed ends such as the modified jaws 5S' and ed shown in FlG. 12. Eachof the jaws 58 and 6G has an elongated conical-shaped body 52 coming toa point 6d and with a line of teeth 79 extenf ing the length of thebody. The stem 76' is similar to stem 76 of the jaws S3 and 60.

In FIG. 14 another modilied pair of jaws 58a and elle is shown. The jaw5Sa has an elongated body 62a with a straight portion Sd and a curvedportion 85, 'the curved portion being formed with teeth 7b@ on its innersurface. The stem portion 76a is similar to stero. 76.

Jaw ons has a straight body portion 72a and a stem 7tiZL similar to stem'76. The body 723L is formed with an enlarged portion @8 for one-halfits length. Threads ma are formed on one long edge of the body forone-half its length.

Referring now to the modification of the invention shown in FlGS. 15 and16, herein is shown a circular body 22X and an elongated straightradiating handle 26X. A pair of sockets Stix and 52X are formed in theperiphery of the body. Socket 563x is disposed parallel to the handle26X and socket 52X at an acute angle thereto. Socket 56X is adapted todetachably mount the shank portion 99 of a screw driver 92. The screwdriver 92 may be one of rnany different types of screw drivers foroperating on different types and constructions of screws.

The construction, manner of use and the several advantages `of theimproved hand tool will lbe readily understood. The tool is of greatserviceability in` practical use. The jaws may be of different forms inaccordance with the particular purpose for which the tool 4is to beused. Since the forms and shapes of the jaws which might be used arequite numerous, i have not undertaken to illustrate and describe all ofthe different constructions of jaws which might be provided -forinterchangeable connection with the privo-tally connected members ofthepliers, but have illustrated yand described a tew of the conventionalforms of such jaws.

While il have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes andmodifications may be made within the scope of the invention` as deiinedin the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new, `and desire Itosecure by United States Letters l atent is:

l. Pliers comprising a pair of superimposed circular disk-shaped bodiesconnected to each other by a. pivot, integral handles radiatingtangentially from Ithe peripheries of the bodies `for pivoting saidbodies, said diskshaped bodies each having a pair of spaced sockets inits periphery, one socket of each pair being parallel to a line'longitudinal of the handles and passing through the pivot of thebodies, the other socket of the pair being at an acute angle to saidline and disposed .on the opposite side of said line from its respectiveone socket, and `a removable jaw member selectively seated in a socketof each disk-shaped body.

2. Pliers comprising a pair of superimposed circular disk-shaped bodiesconnected to each other by a pivot, integral hand-les radiatingtangentially from the peripheries of the bodies for pivoting saidbodies, said diskshaped bodies each having `a pair of spaced sockets inits periphery, `one socket of each pair being parallel to a linelongitudinal of the handles and passing through the pivot of the bodies,the other socket of the pair being at an acute angle to said line anddisposed on the opposite side of said line from its respective onesocket, a removable jaw member selectively seated in a socket of eachdisk-shaped body, each jaw member comprising ian elongatedtriangular-shaped body, the wide end of the body being `arcuate-sliapedforming a long side and a short side, threads on the short side of thebody, and a stem extending from the bottom suaa of fthe wide endlaritmie-d to 792,374 Wolford June 13, 1905 be plugged into ythe socket.844,903 Wilkins Feb. 19, 1907 1,122,165 Schoening Dec. 22, 1914References Cited in the le of this patent 1,760,800 WambSgaIlS May 27,1930 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,483,383 Heimann et al. Sept. 27, 1949329,503 Tamm Nov. 3, 1885 FOREIGN PATENTS 677,770 Koeh Iuly 2, 19011,043,718 France June 17, l1953 753,456 VVeidngea` Mar. 1, 1904 861,380Germany Dec. 29, 1952

1. PLIERS COMPRISING A PAIR OF SUPERIMPOSED CIRCULAR DISK-SHAPED BODIESCONNECTED TO EACH OTHER BY A PIVOT, INTEGRAL HANDLES RADIATINGTANGENTIALLY FROM THE PERIPHERIES OF THE BODIES FOR PIVOTING SAIDBODIES, SAID DISKSHAPED BODIES EACH HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED SOCKETS INITS PERIPHERY, ONE SOCKET OF EACH PAIR BEING PARALLEL TO A LINELONGITUDINAL OF THE HANDLES AND PASSING THROUGH THE PIVOT OF THE BODIES,THE OTHER SOCKET OF THE PAIR BEING AT AN ACUTE ANGLE TO SAID LINE ANDDISPOSED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID LINE FROM ITS RESPECTIVE ONESOCKET, AND A REMOVABLE JAW MEMBER SELECTIVELY SEATED IN A SOCKET OFEACH DISK-SHAPED BODY.